Freight-car or the like.



2 SHEBTS+BHEET 1.

L. J, WARNER. FREIGHT GAB OR THE LIKE. AP PLIOATIOH FILED DBO. 26, 1911.

- Patented Sept. 9, 1913 L Wm v t tag 4 MM H t .m v5 QM B t m N.

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Patented. Se t. 9, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' Limo J. WARNER, or cnrcseo, ILLINOIS.

FREIGHT-GAR OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ed Sept. 9, 1913.

Application filed December 26, 1911. Serial No. 667,885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUDO J. WARN'ER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Freight-Cars or the Like, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of cars known as freight cars, and relates particularly to a convertible refrigerator, or

similar car, which maybe used for transporting meats, poultry, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and the like, either one kind exclusively, or mixed freights, or which may be used to transport any general or special line of merchandise or manufactures usually carried in what are known as box cars or the like. 'Often the cars are used for carying one kind'of freight when going in one direction, and an entirely different class of freight when returning to the starting point, and when equipped with my construction, the ear is aplicable for any class of merchandise. With my construction suitable removable decking and partitions are provided, which may be varied in their arrangement, depending upon the use of the car, or that is thejfreight to be carried.

My invention has among its objects the production of a car of the kind described that is adapted for any use, that is sim le,

convenient, durable, eflicient and sat-is actory'.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a refrigerator car equipped with my improvement. Fig.

2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on line 2, 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a car interior equipped with my construction, all but a portion of one side of the car removed to more clearly show my improvement, and Fig. 4-; is a perspective view of one end of a rod.

Referring to the drawings, in which, to illustrate my invention, I have shown a portion of a refrigerator car, consisting of the floor-1, side walls 2 and 3, and roof 4, provided with door openings 5 on each side,

and with an ice compartment or chamber 6. I do not wish, however, to be understood as limiting myself to a refrigerator car or any particular construction of the car body, walls, etc., as the same may be of any suitable construction, my invention being applicable to all constructions in so far as I am aware.

My invention broadly consists in suitable means for forming or providing movable decks and transverse partitions on the interior of the car, which partitions may be removed and stowed away when it is not desirable to use the same. 011 each side of the car I secure one or more supporting parts, arranged to support suitable rods extending across or transversely the car, so that the same form an additional floor or deck and partitions. For illustration, I have shown three bars on each side, a lower bar 7, an intermediate bar 8, and atop or storing bar 9, the same extending from the ends of the car to the door, or to any other intermediate points. The bars 7, 8 and 9, are arranged in pairs on the sides of the car, and are pro- ,vided with notches 10, l2and 13 respectively (see Fig. 3)". 'I also provide suitable brack- \ets 14, 15 and 16, correspondingly arranged on each side of the car at-intervals from the ends to the door. To form the deck and partitions, I employ a number of preferably tubular rods .17, 18, 19, and 20, which may be supported in the notches of any pair of bars 7, 8 and 9. The bars may be supported in any of the notches, depending upon the freight to be carried, and when carried in the notches l3, are out of'the way, the bars bars 17, and chains 22, 23 and 24 secured to the bars 18, 19 and 20 respectively. The chains may be secured to the rods in any desired manner, as for example, referring to Fig. 4, by a link 36 connected to the rod at 37. The other ends of the chains are secured to the sides of the car by staples 25, or their equivalents. In. the drawings, I have shown a chain at each end of each rod, but it is, of course, understood that one chain for each rod is sufficient for the purpose. The chains are made of sufficient length and are attached to the side walls so that the bars 17 may be supported on any of the supporting bars 7, 8 or '9, and the bars 18 in the brackets 16 or on the bar 9, the rods 19 in the brackets 15, or on the bar 9, and the rod 20 in the brackets 14, or on the bar 9. In this construction it is comparatively a simple matter to form horizontal or vertical partitions in the car as desired. Where dressed beef or similar freight is carried, the same may be suspended from the several rods which are carried in any of the bars, but preferably when supported on the upper bars 9. To support the rods at their centers when so loaded, and prevent them from sagging, hooks 28 may be secured to the top of the car, the same being carried from a base 27 The freight is then suspended from hooks (not shown) carried by the rods. At each side of the door additional brackets 30 and rods 31.therefor, may be provided, in which case the same may, if desired, be secured at one end by chains 32 to the side of the car by staples 33 or the equivalent. For supporting the rods, when not in use, I provide hooks 34, so that the rods may be hung out of the way. In this construction chains are employed at only one end, so that the opposite end may be swung around to one side of the car, and hung on the hooks 34.

The bars 7, 8 and 9, and any desired number of additional ones (not shown) may be arranged where desired, and the same be provided with any number of notches. There may be any number of brackets employed and any desired number of rods. It is not necessary that a rod be provided for each notch, as there may be more notches than rods, and additional rods other than those shown maybe provided, permitting multiple decking, etc. The bars and rods strengthen and stiffen the car, and do not in any way decrease the carrying capacity of the car. i

It may be noted that the construction herein described is very simpleyand may be installed at comparatively low cost. When employed on a car, as for example on a refrigerator car, the car may be quickly converted from an open car to a car suitable for carrying dressed beef or the like, or'into a double decked car, either refrigerator or as a common box or freight car for carrying any form of freight. One end of the car may be arranged as desired, that is double decked or divided, or used for one kind of products, and the opposite end of the car be left clear or free and dressed beef or other freight put therein. here mixed freight is carried, as for example,.dressed-poultry, and eggs, the eggs may be carried on the rods. Also with freight, such as eggs or the like, where it is not desirable to load too much in a stack on account of the excessive weight on the lowerstacks, the double decking may be positioned so that the load is distributed and not all carried by the lower crates. Free ventilation or circulation of cold air throughout the car is also an additional advantage. By inserting What I have termed the vertical dividing rods, the load of freight is thoroughly braced at intervals, and cannot shift or topple over, which is particularly important where eggs make up a part of the freight. By placing the rods at the door extending from the floor to the roof, as shown in Fig. 2, it is unnec-.

essary to use other bracing at the center of the car, as for example, in the case of a load of dairy products, fruit, vegetables, or similar freight.

By using this construction of double decking and partitioning, the same may be positioned as the car is loaded, so that it is not at any time in the way, as for example, the car may be loaded at one end, then the vertical and decking rods positioned, then the double decking, if double decking is desired, and then again the vertical partitions, etc., until the car is loaded to the door. I have particularly mentioned the same as applicable for refrigerator cars, which cars are often owned by private individuals, or special carrying contractors, and sent to their destination with perishable products as freight. They are usually then loaded with different kinds of merchandise and returned to their. starting point, or its vicinity, so that the car does not have to return empty. It is therefore of the utmost importance in having a car of this kind that is not only capable of carrying perishable freight, or the products for which the car is intended, but one that is also adapted for carrying other freight, s0

the same may be used as an ordinary freight car on its. return, if necessary. \Vith my construction the uses of the car with its double or multiple decking and partitions are unlimited.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be niade in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, con struction, arrangement or combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned. I

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is I 1. In a car, a plurality of vertically spaced longitudinally extending bars on each side of the car, the bars on each side having a plurality of engaging parts in alinement with similar parts on the cooperating bar atthe opposite side of the car, a plurality of transversely extending rods adapted to be supported at the ends by said engaging parts and to be shifted from one pair of bars to another, an auxiliary connection between the rods and the car, said last mentioned connection being movable to permit of said adjustment of the rods, and bracket supports on the sides of the car for the ends 0 the rods arranged intermediate said longitudinally extending bars.

2. In a car, the con'rbination of a plurality of rods extendinghorlzontally from one wall of the car to an opposite wall thereof, a supporting member for one end of the rods having a connection with the rods adjacent one end and with they adjacent wall of the car, relative fixed supports on opposite walls of the car for opposite'ends of said rods, said first mentioned supportin inember be ing movable whereby to permit the rods to be moved into and out of engagement with the relatively fixed supports.

' 3. In a car, the combination of a plurality of tubular rods arranged transversely the car, movable means for attaching said rods to one side of the car, and means for supporting the endsof said rods in adjusted positions.

4. In a car, a plurality of vertically spaced longitudinally extending bars on each side of the car, the bars on each side having a plurality of engaging parts in alinement with similar parts on the cooperating bar at the opposite side of the car, a plurality of transversely extending rods adapted to be supported at the ends by'said engaging parts and to be shifted from one pair of bars to another, a relatively fixed flexible connection between the rods and the car, and bracket supports on the sides of the car for the ends of the rods arranged intermediate said longitudinally extending bars.

5. In a car, the combination of a bar arranged along each side of the car and-having separatedengaging parts, a plurality of rods removably supported by said engaging parts, and a flexible member connected to the bar and to the side of the car for preventing the removal of the rods from the car.

of pairs of bars arranged on the interior of K the car, one pair of bars secured to one side of the car proximate the top thereof, and the other pair of the bars similarly arranged on the opposite side of the car, the'other pairs of bars arranged at intermediate points between the floor and the top bar, said bars having spaced recesses forming rod engaging parts, a plurality of rods extending transversely the car and arranged to cooperate with any of said pairs of bars and be supported thereby, and flexible means for securing one end of each of said rods to one side of the car.

8. The combination in a car of .a plurality of bars arranged on each side of the interior of the car, the bars on one side arranged opposite the bars on the other side, each of said bars provided with a plurality of notches therein, a plurality of rods arranged within the car and extending from side to side thereof, said rods supported by the corresponding bars at the sides of the car, a plurality of brackets arranged vertically at intervals along each side of the car, a rod for each pair of brackets, and means for securing all of said rods to the car.

9. In a car, a plurality of vertically spaced longitudinally extending bars on each, side of the car, the bars on each side having aplurality of engaging parts in alinement with similar parts on the cotiperating bar at the opposite side of the car, a plurality of transversely extending rods adapted to be supported at the ends by said engagin parts and to be shifted from one pair of ars to another, and an auxiliary connection be tween the rods and the car, said last mentioned connection being movable to permit of said adjustment of the rods.

10. In a car, a plurality of vertically spaced longitudinally extending bars on each side of the car, the bars on each side having a plurality of engaging parts in alinement with similar parts on the cooperating bar at the opposite side of the car, a plurality of transversely extending rods adapted to be supported at the ends by said engagmg parts and to be shifted from one pair of bars to anotherand a relatively fixed flexible connection between the rods and the car.

11. In a car, the combination of a plurality of rods arranged transversely of the car, means for supporting said rods at their ends, and retaining means connected at one point to a relatively fixed support and at anotherpoint to said rod.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two sub- 

